[Tissue mechanical behavior of tendinous fibers under statistical and dynamic requirements]

With a device for dynamical processes tension tests were performed on bundles of collagen fibres of human and bovin origin. Part of the studies were performed under statical condition with an universal materials testing machine, equipped with a closed loop feed back control system. If the force is to be kept constant subsequently to a strain process on a collagen fiber bundle (isotonic condition), the fiber length must increase (creep phenomenon, retardation). The force decreases under constant length after a preceding strain process (relaxation). In analogy to the statical relaxation, statical isorheological line, and statical force recovery curve the dynamical (cyclic) relaxation, dynamical (cyclic) isorheological curve, and dynamical (cyclic) force recovery curve are described. The mechanical-rheological properties collagen fiber bundles are discussed in relation to functional anatomy.